December 9, 2021
Albert Baron Ansu
The Ministry of Information Retreat in Bo has been an eye opener to appreciate critical development entities such as NATCOM, the telecommunications regulator. Before now an arm chair analyst of the sector can make sweeping conclusion- without a basis to the effect that NATCOM is an under-performing institution.
The technical nature of what NATCOM is mandated to do certainly makes it difficult for people who are not techy to understand their role in the national development process. It was therefore a remarkable feat for the NATCOM Presenters at the Ministry of Information Retreat to break down their scope of work in raising the understanding level of lay minds.
Any objective assessment of what NATCOM is doing must look at its strategic objectives against what it has delivered. NATCOM has set itself the following targets: Improve the effectiveness, efficiency and transparency in ICT licensing processes and regimes; Ensure fair, effective and efficient management of the electromagnetic spectrum and monitor adherence to assigned frequency band(s); Facilitate improved telecommunications Quality of Service (QoS) in compliance with international standards; Review, update and develop telecommunications regulations and guidelines to increase access to technology and services; Continuously interface with and engage public and private sectors, and other stakeholders in disseminating sector-specific information.; Enhance staff productivity and develop their career path in proper regulatory management & administration; Create enabling regulatory framework for the expansion and optimization of domestic telecommunications services (voice and data) across the country.
It is within this broad scope of work flow that NATCOM is situated and one can imagine that it is a huge task to do. What we have however gathered from the Ministry of Information retreat is that NATCOM has made a lot of gains in the aforementioned target areas to validate the institution as one of those that is viable- revenue generating and serving as a catalyst to socio-economic mobility.
Looking at the telecommunication sector and where NATCOM sits you cannot be in doubt that its vision of fostering a progressive and enabling environment for the development of telecommunications sector in Sierra Leone.
This could not be short term target; it is bound to be work in progress until the ideal milestone of positioning itself as one of the leading telecommunications regulator is attained.
The facts have been laid bare about what NATCOM has recorded as achievements that cannot be contested.
Let me here reproduce the specifics: Legislated five (5) Telecommunications Regulations on Licensing, Spectrum, Quality of Service, Type Approval and Subscriber identification and Registration: facilitating predictability, transparency, accountability and market stability. NATCOM has increased licensing of ISPs, TV, FM and Ship Stations, VHF, HF and Type Approval authorizations. NATCOM has prescribed Mobile Termination Rate (MTR) of Le.470 per minute for off-net calls and price floor and ceiling for off-net and on-net calls. They have also harmonized off-net and on-net tariffs at Le.590 per minute for all mobile network operators; rolled out new FM spectrum plan (even to odd channels) across the Countries; minimized harmful Interference on Broadcasting services in collaboration with ARPT- Radio Democracy 98.1 MHz, Door Church Radio, Capital Radio, Advocacy Radio, Cart-Barming Radio, Khaliza Radio, Kolenten Radio, Marwoponet Radio, etc..
There is more to NATCOM’s achievement which include the following: intensification of nationwide compliance checks on all telecoms services leading to increase in revenue; monitored and enforced SIM/UIM card registration across the country by all operators; properly monitored assigned numbering blocks to determine actual utilization and minimize number misuse; properly monitored assigned numbering blocks to determine actual utilization and minimize number misuse; conducted successful raids, arrests and sensitization on cyber-related issues (cyber impersonation, illegal SIM card sales, mobile phone theft, bad social media postings), conducted cross border frequency coordination between Sierra Leone and Guinea to mitigate harmful interference; hosted consumer parliament to get the views of subscribers on telecoms services.
Beyond the foregoing we can bring out more to what NATCOM has delivered to fit in the category of outstanding performers.
NATCOM has Engaged in spectrum planning, assignment, monitoring and resolution of harmful interference; Monitored Quality of Service for MNOs and executed equipment type approval; Embarked on NATCOM radio talk shows to raise consumer awareness and improve education and sensitization; Produced guidelines on consumer protection, updated consumer Bill of Rights and conducted tariff monitoring; Developed service delivery charter and established consumer Helpdesk; Established International Gatekeeping system to improve Revenue Assurance & Fraud Management mechanisms; Participated in the Interconnection of terrestrial fiber optic cable backbone between Sierra Leone and Guinea at Gbalamuya Border to provide redundancy.
The details are self-explanatory and telling us that NATCOM has passed the approval rating. There are more works to be done but challenges abound and these were cited at the Ministry of Information Bo Retreat.
These surmountable challenges range from: Non-existence of cybersecurity laboratory (CERT) for forensic investigations and surveillance; Non-existence of spectrum enforcement and monitoring tool for occupancy and interference; Lack of Type Approval laboratory to determine the standards of imported electronic communications equipment; Increase in Over the Top (OTT) traffic thereby reducing international traffic volumes; Inadequate tools and equipment to conduct engineering and regulatory tasks; Lack of required equipment to conduct drive test to ascertain the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters of telecommunications services; Lack of SIM Box detection equipment to combat SIM Box fraud; inadequate Infrastructure to facilitate the uptake of mobile data and further increase broadband Internet Penetration.
These limiting factors undermining the effectiveness of NATCOM can be resolved over time. And NATCOM leadership is poised to stimulate stakeholders engagement to leverage support in filling the gaps for desired long term attainment of goal to elevate the productivity of country’s telecom regulator.